Smiths Appoints Director of Group Communications

Smiths Group today announced that it has appointed Chris Fox as Director of Group Communications, effective 27 June, 2005.

Fox, 47, has been Director of Corporate Relations at Tate and Lyle plc, a global manufacturing company, for the past six years. He will be based at the Group head office in London and will report directly to the chief executive, Keith Butler-Wheelhouse.

Fox has a BSc degree in Chemistry with Geology from Imperial College, London. He joined Dowell Schlumberger Limited in 1981 and worked for them as a Field Engineer, and then as a manager in the Middle East. He moved into publishing in 1985 as Editor of Offshore Engineer Magazine, returning to Schlumberger in 1990 as European Communications Manager for their Oilfield Services business. In 1998, he spent a year as Manager, Corporate Affairs in the newly privatised AEA Technology plc, before joining Tate & Lyle in his current role.

"I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Chris to this role in Smiths. He brings relevant background and experience, together with a successful track record in the development and implementation of a strategic communications function," said Keith Butler-Wheelhouse.

Fox is married with one daughter.

ENDS